Supercritical water oxidation represents an innovative technology for complete and efficient destruction of hazardous wastes, without forming of harmful by-products. Organic compounds and oxygen are completely soluble in supercritical water at temperatures above 374 deg C and pressures above 221 bar, providing a single-phase medium for rapid oxidation of organic to C02, H20, and N2. The scale-up and reliable operation of commercial-sized process equipment require a thorough understanding of oxidation kinetics, reaction pathways, and mechanisms. Glucose (C6H1206) hydrolysis and oxidation were done in collaboration with Richard H. Holgate. Experiments were done in an isothermal, isobaric, tubular plugflow reactor apparatus. Both hydrolysis and oxidation occurred rapidly in supercritical water at 246 bar. A diverse set of products, present in the liquid effluent and also subject to hydrolysis, was formed. At 600 deg C and a 6-second reactor residence time, glucose is completely gasified, even in the absence of oxygen. In the presence of oxygen, destruction of liquid- phase products is enhanced, with none found above 550 deg C at a 6-second reactor residence time. Major products formed were acetic acid, acetonylacetone, propenoic acid, acetaldehyde, carbon monoxide, methane, ethane, ethylene, and hydrogen. Methane and hydrogen were present at temperatures up to 600 deg C for reactor residence times of 6 seconds.

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